NCLEX Practice Test

In a disaster triage situation, which client should be sent to the hospital first?

1. Client who has partial-thickness burns on both hands

2. Client who is screaming and has a left lower arm laceration

3. Client with a broken, protruding right tibia and gray, pulseless foot

4. Client with a gaping head wound and Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3

The correct answer is: Client with a broken, protruding right tibia and gray, pulseless foot

In a disaster triage situation, the priority is to assess which clients are in the most critical condition and require immediate medical attention. The client with the broken, protruding right tibia and a gray, pulseless foot represents a case of compromised circulation and possibly severe vascular injury. The absence of pulse indicates a risk of limb loss or serious complications, necessitating urgent intervention to restore blood flow and prevent further damage. The gaping head wound with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 also indicates a critical condition; however, in triage, the focus is often on physiological stability and potential for survival. While both cases are severe, the limb injury's urgency, given the pulseless foot, highlights a need for immediate treatment to salvage the limb and ensure systemic stability. The other clients, while they have significant injuries, do not present with as immediate a threat to life or limb as the one with the compromised circulation. The decision to prioritize the client with the broken tibia reflects the triage principles of addressing the highest risk of mortality and maximizing potential outcomes.